This is where Josh Turiel deposits his blather about things he's not really qualified to speak of. Those topics typically include technology, politics, professional wrestling, economics, security, business, and parenting.
He owns a small business providing IT support, has a young son, is a card-carrying Bright, serves as an elected official (City Councillor in Salem, MA) and could stand to lose a few pounds. So that's where he's coming from.

Tuesday, November 12, 2002

The key to surviving teething

I think I've got a handle on this thing now. The key to dealing with teething is to take advantage of the short attention span of a baby.

If you distract them before they get fully wound up, there's less of a chance of an unconsolable cry. We're using a couple of his favorite toys as keys here - quickly swoop in and drop a toy nearby at the first sign of trouble and he'll turn his attention away from the hurt and onto the toy. He forgets all about the discomfort for a while.

This may not work so well when he's farther along, but it's a nice trick right now.

Meanwhile, however difficult the day can get, he still goes to sleep promptly when we put him in his crib and turn the light off, so even if we're fully worn down by him during the day at least we get to sleep at night. That's a huge help. Every day seems easier when you get a full night's sleep.